Charles h



(No Model.)

0. H. MOULTON.

FILE CABINET FOR PAPERS, 6:0.

No. 338,643. Patented ar. 23, 1886.

Y Tz -l- L/ mi? N, PETERS. Pholu-Liuuographu. Wmlnnglon. D, C.

UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE.

CHARLES H. MOIILTON, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

FILE-CABINET FOR PAPERS, C.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 338,643, dated March 23, 1886.

Application filed May 18, 1885. Serial No. 105,863. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES H. MoULToN, of \Vashington, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain Improvements in File- Gabinets for Papers, 850., of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to file cases or cabinets and other structures wherein a series of file boxes, drawers, trays, or similar receptacles are arranged to move independently into and out of an inclosing case or cabinet; and its object is to provide a simple and convenient means for locking the receptacles in place to prevent access to their contents.

To this end it consists, essentially, in combining with the cabinet internal horizontal bars, each adapted to engage shoulders or lips in a number of boxes, in a peculiar manner of sustaining said bars, and in combining with the cabinet a door through which access may be had to the bars, all as hereinafter more fully explained and claimed.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents in perspective a file-cabinet having my improvement embodied therein, a portion of the'end wall being broken away to expose the internal parts to view. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the same on the line 00 m; Fig. 3, a perspective view of the locking-bar and links for suspending the same. Fig. 4. is a View of the bar in modified form; Fig. 5, a view showing a modified view of the file-box.

Referring to the drawings, A represents an external case or cabinet, which may be of any form and construction adapted to permit the insertion of the file-boxes or other receptacles, B, in series.

In the drawings I have selected for purposes of illustration file-boxes of the form generally known in the art as Duryea boxes, consisting each of base and front boards at right angles to each other, notched side arms, and an internal follower or pressure-board connected by a locking device to the side arms. These boxes are arranged side by side in horizontal rows, and are each adapted to slide outward and hang suspended at the front, as usual.

In applying my improvement I provide each box at a suitable point with a shoulder or lip, a, to engage the locking-bar. This lip is preferably located at the rear end of the base-board, and is most cheaply formed by cutting a transverse groove therein, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2; but in place of the groove a metal plate or shoulder may be attached to the base, as represented in Fig. 1.

Within the cabinet, adjacent to each row of boxes, and in position to engage the shoulders of all the boxes in the row, I place a horizontal locking-bar, 0, having a rising and falling motion. This bar may be attached to the case by swinging links 0, as in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, so that it will rise and fall as it is moved endwise; or it may, to the same end, be provided with oblique slots and secured by screws passing therethrough, as shown in Fig. 4. WVhen the bar is moved in the proper d'ireetion, it descends, and engaging the line of boxes holds them securely against withdrawal from the cabinet.

In order to permit convenient access to the locking-bars, and to prevent access to them when desired, I provide the end of the cabinet with a door, D, having a lock, E, of any suitable character. The opening of the door exposes the ends of the locking-bars, either of which may be adjusted to lock or unlock its row of boxes independently of the others. The bar may be made of such length that the door will act thereon as it is closed, and thereby cause the automatic locking of all the boxes; but it is preferred to make them of such length that they may remain unlocked when the door is closed.

It is to be noted that my locking-bar acts in a downward direction upon the boxes, and that by holding down their rear ends it prevents them from being rocked or tipped forward, as could otherwise be done, without sliding them from the case.

The essence of my invention resides in the use of the movable bars to look a series of boxes, and in the door for preventing access to said bars, and the details may be modified within thelimits of mechanical skill, provided a mode of action substantially such as herein set forth is retained.

I am aware that drawers sliding one above another between fixed rails or guides have been locked in vertical series by verticallymoving bars actuated by one of the drawers, by hinged lids, and by a horizontal bar operable from the front; but I believe myself to be the first to combine with a series of file-boxes arranged in horizontal rows a locking-bar extending horizontally behind'them and engaging directly therewith, and the first to provide a cabinet from which the boxes are removed at the front, with a horizontal locking-bar in the rear, and with a special door in the side to afford access to the end of the bar that it may be adjusted by hand.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is-k 1. The inclosing case or cabinet provided with the lockable door at its side, in combination with the file-boxes arranged in horizontal series therein and removable at the front therefrom, and the horizontal lockingbar engaging the rear ends of the. series of boxes by a longitudinal movement, as described.

2. The inclosing case or cabinet, the fileboxes arranged in horizontal rows therein and removable from the front thereof, in combination with a horizontal locking-bar engaging the rear ends of the boxes, and the special lockable door located in the side of the case and preventing access to the bar, as described.

3. The case or cabinet provided with the special door in its side and with means for locking the same, in combination with the fileboxes arranged in horizontal series and pro vided with the shouldered base-board, and the horizontal vertically-movable bar secured in the back of the case and adapted to engage the shoulders of the box by a longitudinal and lateral motion, as described.

4. A case or cabinet having file-boxes arranged therein in multiplehorizontal rows and adapted for independent removal at the front, and a series of independent locking-bars mounted within the case and engaging the respective rows of boxes as described, and a lockable door giving access to the rear of the case and to the series of bars therein, substantially as described, whereby either row may be locked or unlocked independently of the other, thus permitting the removal of the boxes 

